Disabled Facilities Grants in Scotland: Funding a Bathroom Adaptation

Last updated 13 June 2026 · 6 min read

If you've been told you need a walk-in shower or wet room because a bath is no longer safe, you're probably wondering how much it costs — and whether the council will help pay for it. This guide explains exactly how funding works in Scotland, what to ask for, and what to expect.

1. What funding exists in Scotland

Every Scottish council runs a Scheme of Assistance for disabled adaptations. The scheme can include:

• Mandatory grants for essential work (level-access showers, ramps, stairlifts).
• Discretionary top-up grants or interest-free loans for the balance.
• Free practical help through Care & Repair Scotland for older or disabled homeowners.
• VAT relief on qualifying work for a disabled or chronically sick person — see section 4.

Tenants in social housing apply through their landlord; private tenants and homeowners apply through their council's social work or housing department.

2. Who's eligible

Eligibility isn't about age — it's about need. The starting point is an assessment by an NHS or council occupational therapist (OT). The OT visits your home and decides whether an adaptation is necessary because of a long-term illness, disability, or mobility condition. If they say yes, the council is legally required to consider funding under the Scheme of Assistance.

Councils also carry out a financial assessment, which affects the level of any grant. The benefits that are usually relevant include:

• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

3. How to apply — step by step

1. Call Social Work at your local council. Ask for an occupational therapy assessment under the Scheme of Assistance. There is usually no charge.
2. Have the OT assessment. They'll look at how you use the bathroom and recommend a solution — typically a level-access shower or wet room.
3. Get quotes. The council will normally ask for one or two written quotes from approved installers. We're happy to provide one in the format councils expect, including the OT's specifications.
4. Council approves funding. You'll get a written offer showing the grant percentage and any contribution from you.
5. Work goes ahead. A typical walk-in shower or wet room installation takes 5–10 working days. We manage the project and coordinate the plumbing, electrical and tiling work.

4. The VAT side

Zero-rating is not automatic. HMRC allows it where qualifying goods and building work adapt a bathroom in the private home of a disabled or chronically sick person and the work is necessary because of that person's condition — so being elderly is not, on its own, enough, and a general refit or wider home improvement does not qualify. Customers aged 60 or over who are not disabled or chronically sick may instead qualify for the reduced 5% rate on certain installed mobility aids, such as grab rails, built-in shower seats and qualifying walk-in baths, subject to HMRC rules. We check which rate applies to your job and complete any customer declaration with you at quote stage.

5. Useful contacts

• Care & Repair Scotland — free, impartial help for older and disabled homeowners.
• Your local council's Social Work team — for the OT assessment.
• Disability Information Scotland — practical benefits and entitlement advice.
• Independent Living Fund Scotland — for additional support packages.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is for general information and reflects how Scottish councils commonly operate the Scheme of Assistance. Specific eligibility, percentages and conditions vary by local authority — always confirm with your council before committing to work.